Can You Gain Weight With Ulcerative Colitis

Add In Meal Replacement Shakes As Necessary

The Best Food To Gain Weight With Ulcerative Colitis

Many experts recommend meal replacement shakes or nutritional supplements, like Ensure Plus or Boost, to help with weight maintenance. Liquid supplements like these take up very little volume and are easy on the stomach, but they contain a relatively high amount of calories and protein.

I eat every two or three hours, even if its a couple of crackers, and drink a meal replacement shake. This helps me maintain my weight, said a member.

Note that these shakes often contain dairy products, so talk with your doctor for their recommendation, especially if you are sensitive to dairy or are lactose intolerant.

Exercise Can Be Hard For People With Ibd

Exercising can be hard for people with IBD. While it has been proven to have amazing benefits for both the physical and emotional body, having the energy and/or ability is an entirely different story. If you are going to the bathroom a lot, are in pain, arent sleeping, and just need to conserve every ounce of energy you have for your job or loved ones, you arent putting in the time to sweat.

Given anxiety, depression and PTSD are common in people with IBD, the inability or unwillingness to exercise consistently can also be due to mental health challenges. Either way, not exercising can put weight on anyone, including someone with a chronic disease that affects the digestive tract.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Drinking a glass of water about half an hour before meals can help people feel fuller and eat fewer calories. People who drink water before meals may lose up to 44% more weight than people who do not, according to an older study from 2009.

This habit is also beneficial because it is crucial for people with UC to stay hydrated due to the loss of fluids from diarrhea.

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Eat High Nutrient Foods

If you have IBD, you already know that processed convenience foods are not going to be the best choice for your diet. A better choice is foods that have a lot of nutrients in a smaller package. Foods that are considered nutrient-dense would be fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, dairy products, and nuts and seeds.

For those with IBD who find these specific foods problematic, other low-fiber choices include peanut butter, eggs, oatmeal, bananas, salmon, and tofu. The more “whole” your foods are, the more nutrient-dense your diet will be. Avoiding foods that come in bags or boxes is a good rule of thumb.

Maintaining Your Weight With Ulcerative Colitis

Can You Have BOTH Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis? (With images ...

There are quite a few parts of being an ulcerative colitis patient that we just might all have in common. And today, I think its time we had a posting about maintaining your weight while you are in a colitis flare, or while you are in full blown nasty colitis. And, also, how to maintain your bodies weight while you are in remission.

Again, I am just a mere peasant with UC, not a doctor, dietician, or politician, so eat your grain of salt now. One major disclaimer is I am medication free, a believer in the specific carb diet for UC, and my diet may be way different than yours. For example I dont eat many of the carbs I used to eat like grains, high fructose corn syrup, and stuff like that. And super MINIMAL dairy save a drop or two in a coffee which Im struggling to kick as well.

But, I do have UC, I have gone from 165 pounds down to 130 and back again to 165 and Im about 5 foot 9 3/4 but lets call it 510 right

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When To Call A Doctor

Its best to touch base with your doctor regularly when you have Crohns. Since the disease has no cure, you want to stay on top of your treatment to avoid flares as best you can.

If any of your symptoms suddenly get worse, try to call a doctor as soon as you can. You also want to make an appointment right away if you have persistent vomiting, symptoms of a fistula or intestinal blockage, or high fever.

Finding Treatment For Overweight People With Ibd

Among IBD patients with obesity, Bosworth says the approach to treatment varies. He stresses that diet is an important consideration, and that for people who are obese, weight loss is beneficial for their overall health and treatment.

Just a five percent weight loss can make a big impact on a patients therapeutic success, Bosworth says.

He explains that some people gain weight because their bodies are trying to control inflammation so well that the body actually adds fat to make up for the calories used to peel away inflammation.

When a person comes in and is given a new diagnosis, treatment really varies from patient-to-patient and diagnosis-to-diagnosis, Bosworth adds. A treatment for maintaining Crohns and losing weight at the same time could be right for one person but might not be right for everyone.

Bosworth laid out these helpful tips for people trying to manage their weight while also living with IBD:

Make a change of diet. Bosworth says changes to your diet could help. For instance, a high ironbased diet could help speed up the metabolism and spur weight loss.

Seek out surgery. I have had patients who are morbidly obese who have tried different types of diets and not found them to be effective, Bosworth says. Sometimes surgery has been the best path for these patients. I have had some obese patients who have needed to seek out bariatric surgery, for instance thats what they needed to improve their overall health and weight.

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When You’re In The Hospital

You were in the hospital because you have ulcerative colitis. This is a swelling of the inner lining of your colon and rectum . It damages the lining, causing it to bleed or ooze mucus or pus.

You probably received fluids through an intravenous tube in your vein. You may have received a blood transfusion, nutrition through a feeding tube or IV, and medicines to help stop diarrhea. You may have been given medicines to reduce swelling, prevent or fight infection, or help your immune system.

You may have undergone a colonoscopy. You also may have had surgery. If so, you may have had either an ileostomy or colon resection .

Stock Up On Nutritious Convenient Foods

How to GAIN weight (Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)

People experiencing a UC flare may eat unhealthy junk foods for convenience rather than seeking out healthier alternatives.

Stocking cupboards and the refrigerator with quick, nutritious foods that are enjoyable can help people make food choices that are better for their health and prevent them from snacking on nonnutritious foods.

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Dont Leave Out Macros

Itâs important to evaluate what you are eating on a typical day and see how you can optimize the types and quantities of your food. Not eating enough macronutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, or fat, can be detrimental, especially if you are already underweight.

When youâre looking to gain weight, itâs not the right time to cut any macronutrients

Try to prioritize whole-food macronutrients. What I mean is, pick sweet potatoes over bread. Choose chicken, beef, and fish over protein powders. Opt for extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter , and coconut oil over vegetable oils. This provides nutrients that are much more easily usable and have health benefits.

Give yourself a mental checklist and make sure there is always protein, fat, and carbohydrates on your plate. You may want to work with a dietitian or nutritionist to make sure your portions are adequate for your goals.

Facing The Complications From Obesity

Knott is one of a growing number of people with inflammatory bowel disease who are struggling with weight issues.

A study published in February 2017 in the journal Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology reported that 15 to 40 percent of people with IBD are overweight or obese. Diet and lifestyle changes over the past few decades have contributed to this shift. Certain drugs also play a role in weight gain.

Whats worse, obesity can also complicate the management of an IBD.

Obese patients with IBD may experience a more complicated course, be more prone to hospitalization, and spend more days in the hospital, says the studys coauthor, Siddharth Singh, MD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and a postdoctoral fellow in the division of biomedical informatics at the University of California in San Diego School of Medicine in La Jolla. They may not respond to medication as robustly as nonobese patients, and may lose response to therapy quickly. They may need more surgeries, and in the case of surgery, obese patients are more likely to experience postoperative complications, particularly infections.

One important factor contributing to obesity in people with IBD is steroid use, says Dr. Singh. Roughly 10 to 20 percent of patients treated with steroids can gain 10 pounds or more, along with experiencing other complications.

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More Information About Ulcerative Colitis

According to George Washington University, colitis is a chronic digestive disease characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.

The following diseases fall into the colitis/IBD category they all can be treated with a combination of medication and improvements to your eating habits:

Steroids For Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

THC May Help To Reduce Damage In Patients With IBD

Steroid use is often one part of the treatment plan for ulcerative colitis.

Most healthcare providers will prescribe steroids to treat a flare-up of symptoms, then work to lower the dose as early as possible. This helps avoid negative side effects such as dependence, weight gain, and effects on blood sugar regulation.

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Maintain A Healthy Diet

People with UC should eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet full of nutritious foods, including:

Fruits and vegetables: People should try a variety of fruits and vegetables and remove the peel and seeds if they trigger a flare.
Fiber-rich foods: These include whole grains, beans, nuts, oat bran, and barley. These foods are unsuitable for people with an ostomy or intestinal narrowing, and a person should avoid them if a doctor has advised them to follow a low fiber diet.
Calcium-rich foods: These foods include milk, yogurt, kefir, lactose-free dairy products, and collard greens.
Protein: Lean meats, fish, tofu, nuts, and eggs are good sources of protein.
Food with probiotics: People can try including more yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi in their diet.

When experiencing a flare, a person may tolerate moderate portion sizes of the following foods:

low fiber fruits
lean protein, such as fish, poultry, soy, and eggs
refined grains, such as sourdough, white pasta, potatoes, and oatmeal
vegetables that are fully cooked and do not contain seeds or skin

Specific diets that a person may wish to discuss with a healthcare professional include:

the Mediterranean diet, also known as the anti-inflammatory diet or IBD-AID
the Paleolithic diet
semi-vegetarian diets
fasting diets

Spinach Artichoke Yogurt Dip

This easy-to-make dip will help you sneak in your daily veggie servings. Artichokes are a low fiber food thats generally safe for people with ulcerative colitis. Theyre also a prebiotic. That means they feed the good bacteria in the gut and may support colonic health.

Combine one can of artichoke hearts and a package of chopped spinach with low fat yogurt and shredded cheddar cheese.

Pour the mixture into a casserole dish. Then bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with sliced carrots and cucumbers for dipping.

Also Check: What Are The Symptoms Of An Ulcer In Your Stomach

How To Maintain Your Weight During A Colitis Flare Or When Times With Uc Are Rough:

First off, difficult question, and I surely dont have THE answer. When I was losing weight, and doing the 10 plus bloody craps per day, you bet, my weight was going down. And I was totally freaked out. I was beginning to feel like a strong breeze could push me over and end me for good. Pants were falling down, new notches on belts needed to be created. And on top of all this, I was taking massive amounts of prednisone steroids which for many people cause you to gain massive amounts of weight. So, I dont have a solution, just an experience with losing weight. I remember back in those days, when it was finally time to get out of bed in the morning I had a hard time deciding on what to eat. But, after some time, I started to really just enjoy throwing on two or three fried eggs and eating them up. And I started to do that a whole lot. It was two dozen eggs a week at my place back in those days. So, for me, I think eggs are good for you, even if you have UC. And I think they are easy on the digestive system too. Also, this thing called bacon. I have always like bacon, and that didnt stop when I had UC. Everyone knows its full of fat, and some protein and some salt etc I ate it then and I eat it now on my new diet, and my UC seems to enjoy it too.

How To Control Weight Gain On Prednisone

6 Ways To Put On WEIGHT After A Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis Flare

If weight gain is particularly bothersome, talk to your doctor about modifying your drug regimen. You should never stop taking medicine on your own. Steroids need to be tapered slowly under your doctors guidance. According to the Hospital for Special Surgery, rapid withdrawal of steroids may cause fatigue, joint pain, muscle stiffness, or fever.

Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different corticosteroid, like budenoside. This alternative is quickly metabolized by the liver, thereby reducing corticosteroid-related side effects, and appears to be as effective as prednisone, says Bedford.

Furthermore, employing a few simple nutritional strategies while youre on prednisone can help you avoid the worst of the weight gain and stay healthier overall, says Scarlata:

Reduce sodium intake. Minimize canned and processed foods, soy sauce, cold cuts, chips, and other salty snacks, because high-sodium foods contribute to water retention.

Choose low-calorie sources of calcium. Another prednisone side effect is the risk for bone mineral loss, so boosting calcium intake is important. But be careful about which calcium-rich foods youre consuming. Some, like whole milk, also contain a lot of fat. Instead, try lower-calorie sources of calcium, like low-fat dairy, broccoli, kale, and chia seeds, says Scarlata, and consider a supplement.

Exercising Safely With Ulcerative Colitis

Q1. I have lost 12 pounds because of a recent bout with colitis. I am afraid to eat. Can you provide me with a diet or suggestions so that I can gain weight? I am afraid to eat a normal diet so I have been eating bread, rice, bananas, potatoes, some chicken and fish, and hamburger. What supplements can I take for vitamins and minerals? Sometimes Ensure is too rich. Please help.

The best way to gain weight with colitis is to eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and to consume more calories than you have been eating. Also, you need to get your colitis under control. If your disease comes under control, there will be less fear of eating, and you should be able to put the weight back on. Ensure is a good, balanced nutritional supplement but if you find that you dont like it, you could try Boost or Glucerna, which are also very good.

Q2. Ive recently lost a lot of weight and started back to running 5K distances after a 15-year layoff. In that 15 years time, I have developed ulcerative colitis. My symptoms are pretty well controlled all except for recently, when I run. Is there anything specific I can do to ease symptoms during running or other forms of intense exercise?

Keith, Minnesota

What Side Effects Of Ibd Can Cause Malnutrition

There are several reasons why people with IBD may be at risk for malnutrition. The following list includes some side effects that contribute to malnutrition.

Inadequate food/fluid intake may by caused by nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite or altered taste sensation
Increased losses â intestinal inflammation during acute flares results in increased protein losses, losses from fistula fluids, diarrhea and bleeding
Increased nutritional needs â inflammation or infection increases metabolic requirements
Malabsorption with Crohn’s disease may be caused by severe intestinal inflammation, resection of small intestine and medications, such as prednisone and sulfasalazine

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Ulcerative Colitis Can Take A Toll On Your Mental Health Too

Being told you have a chronic illness can feel like someone has just rerouted the course of your whole life. I went through my own acceptance process, Skomski says. I definitely went through a period of questioning if my life would ever be normal. With time, processing the reality of having ulcerative colitis became easier. I had to learn theres nothing wrong with me its just part of who I am, Skomski says. You have to do a lot of mental work to flip the way you perceive it because otherwise it can really eat away at you.

Dealing with the symptoms can also be mentally and emotionally taxing. The psychological side of the pain is a lot worse than the actual physical sensation, Sam says. Its when you feel like its never going to end, or youre going to be stuck in that high level of pain for a long period of time, or that no one gets how hard it is to deal with it. This has led to constant vigilance about her health. Its very hard for me to not be closely monitoring my body 24/7, Sam says. The catch-22 is that stress is definitely a trigger for me.